Seal assembly for flow control devices



April 5 1951 J. R. SNYDER 2,548,12

SEAL ASSEMBLY FOR FLOW CONTROL DEVICES Filed May 3, 1944 iatentecl Apr. 10, 1951 SEAL ASSEMBLY FOR FLOW CONTROL DEVICES Jacob Rush Snyder, Cleveland, Ohio, assignor to Thompson Products, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio, a

corporation of Ohio Application May 3, 1944, Serial No. 533,865

3 Claims. 1

The present invention relates to improvements in seal assemblies for use in fluid flow control devices and the like.

More particularly, the inventionis concerned with a form of seal assembly of a type which may be advantageously employed in selector valves, shut-off cocks, quick disconnect couplings and the like, all of which embody a ported member in which is disposed a shiftable member for openingand closing the ports on the ported member.

In such seal assemblies, it is particularly advantageous to provide a form of resilient seal which will not only provide sealing contact with the shiftable member but also with the wall of the port in the ported member. Thus, seal assemblies are ordinarily adapted to be inserted in each of the ports of the ported member. A suitable biasing means is provided in such assemblies to maintain the several elements thereof in assembled relation and to urge the resilient sealing member at all times into contact with the shiftable member and the wall of the port in which the assembly is disposed. A relatively axially thick resilient synthetic rubber-like compound is customarily employed as the resilient sealing means serving the dual purpose of sealing the shiftable member and the wall of the port.

Such axially thick or deep resilient sealing means have been found deficient in fluid flow control devices such as selector valves, quick disconnect couplings and the like under certain operating conditions. It is desirable, in some instances, to employ hard rubber material for sealing contact with the shiftable member or valve and to back this hard material with more resilient softer material to seal the walls of the port. The rubber composition seals, either of the one-piece thick sectioned type, or of the hard-faced resiliently backed type, are subjected to variable swelling and shrinkage action due to variation in fluid media passed through the control device as well as variations in temperatures and pressures. Selector valves and couplings in aircraft must accommodate such fluids as aromatic fuel and hot oil, which may vary in temperature from 80 F. to 250 F.

vIt is an object of the present invention, there fore, to provide'a seal assembly of such design that excessive swelling and/or shrinkage will'not detrimentally affect the sealing qualities of the seal. q

A further object 'of the present invention is to provide a seal assembly employing resilient synthetic compositions of relatively thin cross sections so that swelling and shrinkage variations of 25 to 30% will not defeat the purpose of the seal.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a seal assembly for ported members which cooperate with shiftable members in which resilient sealing material is protected against shearing action due to the shiftable movement of the shiftable member with respect to the ported member and at the same time provides a highly satisfactory seal without unduly increasing the extent of the torque required to adjust the shiftable member.

Another object of the invention is to provide a thin sectioned resilient seal backed by a hard slidable member.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a seal assembly which is adapted to be manufactured in large quantities at a minimum cost.

Other and further objects of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the annexed sheet of drawings which, by way of preferred example only, illustrates several embodiments of the invention.

On the drawings:

Figure l is a fragmentary cross section through a fluid flow control device embodying a shiftable member and a ported member with one form of seal assembly of the type to which the present invention relates inserted in operative relation in one of the ports;

Figure 2 represents a fragmentary cross section taken along the line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary cross section corresponding generally to that of Figure 1 but illustrating a second embodiment of the invention; I

Figure 4 is a fragmentary cross section corresponding generally to Figure 1 but illustrating another embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 4A is a fragmentary cross section of a seal construction like the construction shown in Figure 4 but utilizing a bevel-faced retainer.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary cross section corresponding generally to Figure 1, but illustrating still another embodiment of the invention;

Figure 6 is a fragmentary cross section as seen from the line 6-6 in Figure 5.

As shown on the drawings:

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, a ported member or casing I defines a partly closed chamber in which is disposed a shiftable member or valve II. The valve II is, in this instance, rotatable to open and close the port I2 which is provided with a counterbore I3 adjacent said valve II. The counterbore I3 defines an abutment or shoulder I l and receives therein a seal assembly I5 for sealing the'intern'al wall of the counterbore I3 and the faceof the valve II to'sealingly connect passage I6 with port I2 or to seal port I2 with the face of the valve I I.

The seal assembly I5 comprises a rigid retaining means I! having a shape corresponding generally to that of the cross-sectional. configuration of the counterbore I3 in which it is slid-. ably disposed. The retaining means 'I'I illustrated has one of its ends dished to conform to the peripheral configuration of the valve I I The dished end face I8 has an arcuate cross seetion and is provided with a cushion I9 fabricated or a suitable resilient sealing, material which is bonded to the arcuate surfaceof the dished end face I8 of the retaining means H for contact with the peripheral surface of the valve II to prevent leakage of the fluid being handled by the fluid flow control device with which it is, associated between the relatively movable parts thereof.

Immediately adjacent the end face 2B of the retaining means I'I opposite the dished end face I8 is disposed an O ring 2I. This 0 ring 2I is adapted to be formed of a resilient material possessing sealing characteristics" and may be fabricated from neoprene, artifical rubber or other suitable plastic compositions. A collar member 22 having an outtiiinedflanged portion 23 extending radially from an inclined fold 24 is provided to urge the O ring 2I against theend face 20 of the retaining means I1 and at the same time exert a"radial outwardly directed pressure against 0 ring 2| to cause it to maintain sealing contact with the wall of the counterbore I3.

It is advantageous to provide a collar member 22 in such installations which has an inner diameter substantially equal to the size of the opening of the port 12 and the passage I6 so as to prevent the'presentation' of an obstruction to the flow of fluid through the device; The "re taining means H, the O ring2I; 'an'd'the collar member 22 are maintainediin assembled relation in such fashion that the cushion I9 is engaged in sealing contact with the valve II and the O" ring 2I in sealing contact with the counterbore I3 of the port I2 by means of a spring'25 bottomed on the shoulder I4 of saidcounterbore. The spring 25 may assume any of several different forms being illustrated as being a ring of spring material having a tortuous configuration.

It will be understood from Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings that the seal assembly I5 may be readily assembled and provides easy replace-' ment of any one or more of the elements in the event that this becomes necessary due to wear, breakage or ineffectual operation. Moreover, the cushion I9 may be fabricated of a material which differs in hardness characteristics from that employed in the fabrication of the O ring 2I. This feature makes possible the employment of a material which provides an adequate seal without, however, unduly increasing the extent of the torque required to adjust the valve I I with respect to the ported member II] in which. it is shiftably mounted.

In each case, the cushion I9 and the 0. ring 2I provide a relatively thin crosssection,of the.

resilient material so that any variation caused by swelling or shrinkage of the material due to wide variations in temperature or other characteristics of the fluid being handled by the flow con-- trol device will not appreciably affect the sealing qualities of these elements. The use of a rigid retaining means IT in theseal assembly. I5 virtu ally eliminates the possibility of sticking or jamming in the counterbore such as may result with a composition packing ring of relatively large cross section. The seal assembly of the present invention also. obviates the possibility of inward buckling of the sealing composition.

Moreover, the construction of the seal assembly I5 is such that the cushion I9, which is of relatively thin crosssection and bonded or affixed directly to the retaining means I1, is protected against the possibility of shearing or gouging of the material by the edges of the passages I6 of the valve II as it is shifted with respect to the ported member In.

The seal assembly. 21 illustrated in Figure 3, of the drawings illustrates another form of as-. sembly which is highly satisfactory in the sealing of the port I2 with respect to the valve I I.

The seal assembly 2 1 embodies a guide '28 at one end of which, namely that adjacent the valve II, an outturned lip 29 is formed. The lip 290i the guide 28 is dished to conform to the peripheral configuration of the generally, cylindrically shaped valve II. The lip 29 has afiixedthereto a cushioning element 30 fabricated from neoprene, artificial: rubber or other suitable resilient plastic material to provide sealing contact no,t

only with the outer surfac'e of the valve member II, but also with the wall of the counterbore I} of the port I2 in the ported member I0.

The cushioning means 3ll is"pifovided with a portion which is bonded or otherwise fsuitably afiixed to the inner face of the lip '29 of theguid e 28', leaving afree portion 32overhang'ing or e'X- tending beyond the edge of said'lip' 29. Mounted telescopically of andpr'ojectin'g beyond the end of the guide 28 is a retaining'mea'ns33 of rigid construction. The end or the retaining means 33 adjacent'the lip 29 of the'g'uidej mem-'' ber 28 conforms generally tothe shape of the outer surfac'eof said lip so' asto fitsn'ugly there against. 'An airially extending groove 34 formed in the outer wall of the retaining means.

33 adjacentthe lip 29of the guide 28 to' receive in closely fitting relationship the free end portion 32 of the cushioning means 30. w

The 'end face 35 of the retaining'means 33 is,

as previously indicated, adapted to extend beyond' spring36 is adapted-to simultaneously urge the bonded portion SI of the cushioning; means 3 0,; I against the outer peripheral surface of the valve, II and. the free portion 32 of saidcushioning means 39 against. the wall ofthe .c'ou nterbore I3. This prevents leakage of fluidfbeing handled ,by the flow control device with .whichthe sealing assembly 21 is associated between the port I2 of the ported member I0 andlthe'fvalve II in operation of the device.

The sealassembly 38 illustrated in Figure 4 of the drawing differs slightly from that illus--.

trated in. Figure .3 in that, as inthecasepfL-the,

The spring "36 is generally'similarto the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2, the sealing means is not unitary but embodies instead a pair of cooperating elements. The seal assembly 38 comprises a guide 39 having an outturned lip 49 at one end thereof to the innermost face of which is secured a cushion'4I of suitable plastic sealing composition. As in the case of the lip 29 of the guide 28 forming part of the seal assembly 21 of Figure 3, the lip 49 of the guide 39 is dished or otherwise suitably formed to cooperate with the peripheral surface of the valve I I.

An ring 42 is inserted in the counter bore I3 immediately adjacent to the outermost face of the lip 49 of the guide 39. A retaining means 43 is fitted about and telescopically mounted with respect to the guide 99 for engaging the 0 ring 42. It will be understood that the end face 44 of the retaining means 43 engaging the O ring 42 may be fiat as shown or may, without departing from the spirit of the invention, be inclined in such fashion that it will cooperate with the inclined outer face of the lip 49 of the guide 39 to urge the 0 ring 42 outwardly into contact with the wall of the counterbore I3 when the parts are disposed in assembled relation.

As in the previously described embodiment of the invention of Figure 3, the end face 45 opposite the ,face 44 of the retaining means 43is adapted to project beyond the edge of the guide 39 opposite that carrying the lip 49. The end face 45 contacts a spring '46, similar to springs 25 and 35 of the previously described embodiments, disposed in contact with the shoulder I4 at the base of the counterbore I3 for urging the retaining means 43 axially of the counterbore I3 and into engagement with the peripheral surface of the valve I I. In so doing, the cushion 4| and the 0 ring 42 are maintained in sealing relation with the valve member I I and the counterbore I3, respectively.

The embodiment illustrated in Figure 4A is substantially identical to that of Figure 4. It differs therefrom in that the end face 44a of the retaining means 43a is inclined and is enabled to exert a radial thrust against the O ring 42a. This end face 44a cooperates with the outer face of lip 49a of the guide 3911 to effectively seal the wall of the counterbore in which the assembly is disposed.

Another and still further embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in Figures and 6 of the drawing. In this instance, the seal assembly 48 disposed in the counterbore I3 of the ported member I0 for cooperation with the valve II is generally similar to the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2. The seal assembly 48 comprises a rigid retaining means 49 mounted for slidable movement axially of the counterbore I3 of the port member I9. The retaining means 49 has a dished end face 59 for cooperation with the peripheral surface of the valve I I. a

The retaining means 49 is provided on its dished end face 59 with a cushion 5I of suitable plastic sealing material which is suitably bonded to the arcuately shaped surface of said dished end face 59 for sealing contact with the valve I I. The end face 56 of the retaining means 49 has a channel 52 cut or formed therein which is adapted to receive a sealing means 52 affixed to one end of a spring bellows 54 which may be fabricated in the form of a horizontally corrugated cylinder of springy material, preferably metal. A sealing means 55 is secured to the end of the bellows 54 opposite that to which is affixed the sealing means 53 for sealing contact with the shoulder I4 formed at the base of the counterbore I3'in the port I2 by the ported member I9.

The bellows 54 being seated against the shoulder I4 serves to urge the sealing ring 55, due to its spring-like construction, into sealing contact with the wall of counterbore I3 of the port I2. At the same time, the bellows 54 urges the retaining means 49 and the cushion 5I thereon into sealing contact with the peripheral surface of the valve II. The seal assembly 48, therefore, provides the cushion 5I and the cooperating seals 53 and 55 which serve to effectively seal the valve II and the ported member I9 against the possibility of leakage of fluid therebetween.

It will be apparent from the several disclosures that while the cushioning means I9, 2| and 5| of the several embodiments together with the sealing means 39 are shown as being arcuate in shape and bonded to certain of the elements comprising the several seal assemblies that the cross sections of such sealing cushions may be of any desired shape or thickness without in any way affecting the effective operation of these elements or the flow control device in which the assembly is employed.

The loosely fitting portion 32 of the sealing means 39 associated with the seal assembly 21 of Figure 3, is particularly advantageous for the reason that it affords a relatively free sliding action of the guide and its associated retaining means with respect to the counterbore I3 in which it is disposed, and thus permits a relatively soft synthetic material or rubber to be used. Such material provides a good sealing action with comparatively light spring loads. The reduction in the required spring pressure makes it possible to adjust or shift the valve with respect to its casing with considerably less torque. The seal assemblies of the invention virtually eliminate the possibility of shearing or gouging of the plastic seal material by the relative movement of the valve with respect to the ported member in which it is mounted.

. It will, of course, be understood that various details of the invention may be varied through a wide range without departing from the principles of this invention and it is, therefore, not the purpose to limit the patent granted'hereon otherwise than necessitated by the scope of the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a fluid flow control device embodying a ported member and a shiftable member for opening and closing the port in the ported member, a seal assembly for said port comprising a rigid retainer member corresponding in shape to the cross-sectional configuration of the port and slidable therein, a resilient sealing means attached to the end of the retainer proximate to the shiftable member, a second resilient sealing means inserted in said port and disposed adjacent the other end of the retainer member, a flanged member within said port having an outwardly tapered face terminating in an out-turned radial flange, said second sealing means surrounding and supported on said tapered face, said radial flange extending close to the wall of the port and backing up said second sealing means, and a single biasing means concurrently urging the retainer member and its sealing means into sealing engagement with the shiftable member and the flanged member against the second sealing means to radially expand said second sealing means against the port wall and to axially urge the second sealing means against the retainer mem- 7, her whiie confining said second sealing means against extrusion between the port wall and flanged member.

2; In a fluid flow control. device embodying a ported member and a shiftable member for opening. and closing the port'in the ported memher, a seal assembly for said port comprising a rigid annular retaining means slidable in said port and having a dished end face, a resilient sealing material bonded to the dished end face of the retaining means, an annular sealing ring of substantially circular cross-section disposed in said port adjacent the other endof the retaining means, a collar member slidable in said port having an internal diameter corresponding substantially to that of the retaining member and an outwardly tapered side wall terminating in a radially out-turned flange extending intoclose proximity with the port wall, said annular sealing ring surrounding and supported onsaid tapered side wall and covered by said radial flange, and-a spring for biasing the resilient material coveredend face of the retaining means againstt-heshiftable member and for simultaneously biasing the collar against the annular seali'ng ring to radially expand said annular sealing ring against thewall of the port and to axially urge the annular sealing ring against the retaining means whileprotecting the ring against deformation between the collar and port wall with the radially extending flange on the collar.

3. In a valve member or the like embodying a ported chamber, said port having a counterbore adjacent the chamber and a valve member in the chamber for opening and closing the port, a seal assembly disposed-in the counterbore ofsaid port for sealing engagement-with the bore and the valve-member; said seal assembly comprising a rigid annular member having an outer diameter corresponding substantially to the inner diameter oft-he" counterboreinwhich' it isslidably mounted, and. having an; end. face: thereof of dished configuration, a resilient cushion of sealing material adjacentlto the-dished end of theannular mema64e, 12a

her, a resilient sealing ring of substantially air cu-lar cross-section for engagement withthe other end of the annular member, a collar member havinginner diameter corresponding substantially to that of the annular member and having an outwardly tapered face terminating in an out-' turned radial flange for respectively radially and axially supporting and engaging the seal ring, said outwardly tapered face being effective for radially expanding the sealing ring against the wall of a counterbore, said radial flange extend-'- ing into close clearance relation with the counterbore for overlying and confining the sealing ring against extrusion between the collar'and counterbore, and a spring seated against the extremity of the'counterbore for urging the resilient cushion on'th e annular member against thevalve'member and for urging these'ali'ng ring against the annuflar member and the counterbore to seal both thevalve member and the bore.

JACOB RUSH SNYDER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 7 783,953 Henry Feb. 28, 1905 1,049,450 Caskey' J an. 7 1913 1 3621064 Ward May 20, 1913: 1,736,261 Halltt NOV'. 19, 1929 1',942;155 Stevens Jan. 2, 1934' 1,954,018 Miller Aprl 10, 1934' 2,035,548 Johnson Mar. 31', I936" 2,203,989 Hamer June 11, 1940' 2,291,563 Rotter July 28, 1942 $375,633 DOw'ne'y May 8, 1945 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 296,164" Great Britain Augl 30, 1928' 461,446 Germany June 22, 1'928 805137 France Aug. 17, 1936 

